Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,849 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Creeping buttercup: observations by month (U.S.)
About Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens, the creeping buttercup, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to Europe, Asia and northwestern Africa. It is also called creeping crowfoot and (along with restharrow) sitfast.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Creeping buttercup by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 759 | May | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 657 | May | May–Jun |
| Vermont | 79 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 42 | May | May–Jun |
| California | 39 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 38 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 37 | May | May–Jun |
| Idaho | 36 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | May | May–Jun |
| Alaska | 23 | June | Jun–Aug |
| North Carolina | 20 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Maine | 15 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Ohio | 12 | May | May–May |
| Colorado | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 7 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Texas | 6 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Michigan | 5 | May | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Creeping buttercup?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Creeping buttercup most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, Vermont.